Means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solid matter from liquid.



A. J. ARBUOKLE. MEANS FOR SEPARATING PULVERIZBD ORB OR OTHER GOMMINUTEDSOLID MATTER FROM LIQUID.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 80, 1909.

988,535. Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. J. ARBUGKLE.

MEANS FOR SEPARATING PULVERIZED ORB OR OTHER OOMMINUTBD SOLID MATTERFROM LIQUiD.

APPLIUATION FILED OQT. 30 1909.

988,535. Patented Apr.4, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1 a V (xv/awn]? f 71' 1.464. I y I May m M A. J. ARBUCKLB. MEANS FORSEPARATING PULVERIZBD ORB OR OTHER COMMINUTED SOLID MATTER FROM LI QUID.

APPLICATION IILBD OUT. 80, 1909.

Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

s SHEETS-SHEET a.

Lzzaua-r. .rn-n-n.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER JOHN .ARZB'UCKLE', OF JOHANN'ESIBURG, TBSAJVSVAAL.

MEANS FOR SEPARATING- PULVERIZ'IED ORE 6B OTHER COM'MINUTED- SOLIDMATTER FROM LIQUID.

cssnas.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER Jon'n AR- BUCKLE, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain, and resident of Johannesburg, Trans vaal, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Means for Separating Pulverized-Ore or other Comminuted Solid Matter from Liquid, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention. relates to means for separating pulverized ore or othercommin'uted' solid matter from liquid. It is moreparticularly intendedfor separating the solid constituent of sli1nesthe minute particles ofpulverized ore-from water, solvent solution or other liquid.-

' midical, cylindrical or other suitably shaped central ou'tletfor thesolids.

tank. If the vessel is cylindrical, or constructed with vertical sides,then it is preferably provided with an inverted conical, pyramidical orother suitably shaped bottom or lower portion converging to a preferablyThis vessel may be equipped around. the top with a rim launder forreceiving. the more or less clear overflowing liquid. The pulp ormixture of comminuted solid matter and liquid is introduced by suitablemeans preferably into the lower portionof the vessel.

In the vessel, and preferably above the point or points at which thepulp or mixture is introduced, I arrange a suitable member ofsuper-positioned plates or flat surfaces to provide a large area 11 onwhich the particles of ore or other solid matter can settle. Theseplates or surfaces may be arrangedv at any equal or unequal distancesapart, say at a greater distance in the upper portion of the vesselandat a lesser distance in the lower portion thereof, where most of thecomminuted ore or solid particles will probably settle or be deposited.These plates or surfaces are by preference disposed horizon.-

talliy, although theymay, if preferred, be

' arranged "at any suitable inclination.

y In each plate-or surface, or between con- Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed October 30,1909. Serial No. 525,530.

Patentedi Ax e-1x4, 1911.

tiguous plates or surfacesofeach tier, one or more slots, holes orpassages are provided; the slots, holes or passages inall the tierspreferably coincide, so that an unobstructed passage for the settledsolids is provided. from the top to the bottom. of' the vessel.Theslots, holes or passages in the several tiers preferably graduallyincrease in width in each succeeding tier from the top to the bottom ofthe vessel. Each slot, hole or passage also preferably graduallyincreases in width from the center to the slde of the vessel. Means areprovided for scraping or removing the settled solids oil the plates orsurfaces, and delivering the same over the slots, holes or passages,through which they fall to the bottom of the vessel.

The invention will be more fully described by aid of the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a part sectional elevation of aconical settling vessel with the invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is aview of a portion of' the vertical feed pipe 25 showing the open-ended.slots 28 provided in the ends of the telescopic sections thereof for thescraper arms 13'. Fig. 3 is a plan of the vessel showing one arrangementof' carrier frames 5 for S11 porting the horlzontal settling plates 4.ig. 4 is a detail of a portion of one of the carrier frames 5 andchannel irons 10 supporting the settlingplates 4. Fig. 5 is a sectionalelevation of a port1on of a cylindrical settling vessel, provided withthe settling. plates, with certamparts. removed; Fig. 6- is a plan of aportlon of the cylindrical settling vessel of which a part is shown inFig. 5-. Fig. 7 1s a fragmentary plan view, drawn to an enlarged scale,1l1ustrating the form and arrangement of the carrier frames 5, thechannel irons 10 and the settling plates 4 inside the settling vessel 1.Fig. 8 is a side elevation of one of the carrier frames 5and a portionof the vessel 1 to which it is fixed, and Fig. 9 1s a bag mentary planview, also drawn to an enlarged scale, illustrating the construct on andarrangement of the carrier frames 5 in such a way that the slots orpassages? are ncreased in width in each succeeding carrier from thetopto the bottom of the vessel 1 In Figs. 1 to 4 and 7 to 9, thelnvention is shown applied toan ordinary conical settling vessel ofcomparatively small capacity. In these figures, 1 represents theinverted.

' or rim launder 2. The tank 1 is carried by means of posts or uprights3. Inside the vessel 1, and shown arranged at more or less equalvertical distances apart, are provided the super-positioned horizontalsettling plates 4. The plates 4 of-each tier are carried by a suitablenumber of preferably radial carriers 5. The carriers 5 are riveted 'orotherwise suitably. fixed at their outer ends, as indicated'at 6, to'theinside of the tank 1, and they are preferably constructed at the sidesof L section, as shown in Figs 3. 4 and 7 to 9. The horizontal web orportion 5 of the L or angle piece is cut away or not provided beyond thepoint 6,. where the carrier is riveted to the vessel 1, and as shown inFigs. 1 and 7 to 9, the end of the carrier is bent or shaped at thatpoint to fit the inside of the cone. Between the sides of the carriers,radial slots or passages 7 are provided, which coincide in the severaltiers, and, as shown, preferably gradually increase in width from theinner to the outer ends of the carriers 5. The width of the slots orpassages 7 may be increased in each'succeeding carrier from the top tothe bottom of the vessel 1 as indicated by the dotted lines 9 in Fig. 3,and inFig. 9. The inner ends of the carriers are constructed with lugsof projections 8 for riveting or otherwise connecting the severalcarriers of the same tier or supporting the plates lying in the sameplanesee Figs. 3 and 7 to 9. When the several carriers are assembled,their inner ends, as shown in Fig. 3, form a complete ring so that saidconnected inner ends of the several carriers mutually support eachother. For carrying the plates 4 between the carriers 5, a suitablenumber of horizontal crosspieces 10, of channel or other suitablesection, of iron, or other suitable material, may, as shown inconnection with Figs. 3 and 4, be arranged between adjacent carriers,and be bolted, riveted or otherwise suitably secured at the ends, asindicated at 11 in Fig. 4, to the sides of the carriers 5. The plates 4,which may be made of metal, fit between adjacent carriers as shown inFig. 3. The

. upper surfaces of the plates 4 are preferably level with the top ofthe carriers 5 as shown in Fig. 4/

Instead of using metal plates to provide the settling surfaces 4, saidsurfaces may be provided by suitably shaped pieces of wood, as indicatedat 12 in Fig. 3. In this case the planks or pieces of wood 12 will bebolted, riveted or otherwise secured to the channel iron or othersuitable cross-pieces 10. As previously explained in connection with themetal plates 4, the upper surface of the planks 12 should preferably belevel with the top of the carrier frames 5. In the case of tanks orvessels of small capacity, it will passages 7, scraper arms 13 areprovided.

The scraper arms 13 are attached to a vertical shaft 14 by means ofbosses or hub members 15. are shown maintained the correct distanceapart upon shaft 14 by means of tubular distance pieces 16 placed aroundthe shaft between said members 15., Said members 15 may be keyed orotherwise suitably fixed to shaft 14. One, two or more of the scraperarms 13 may be fixed to each hub member. A hub member 15 is provided onthe shaft for each tier of settling plates, and said The bosses or hubmembers 15 members are so disposed upon and fixedto the shaft 14, thatthe scraper arms pass close to the settling surfaces as the shaft 14 isrotated. The scraper arms 13 extend to the outer edge of the settlingplates 4, and they serve. as they are rotated. to scrape the solidmatter off said surfaces 4 and deliver it over the. slots or passages 7through which it falls to the bottom of the vessel. The shaft 14 at itsupper extremity runs in a bearing 17, and at its lower extremity in abearing 18 beneath the bottom of the tank 1. Bearing 18 may be bolted orotherwise suitably fixed to a timber or other suitable foundation member19.

20 represents a gland for bearing 18, and 21 a footstep bearing in whichthe lower extremity of shaft 14 is rotatably supported.

22 is a bevel wheel on shaft 14, and 23 another bevel wheel (meshingbevel wheel 22) on driving shaft 24. Rotary motion is imparted to shaft24, and said motion transmitted to shaft 14 through bevel wheels 22, 23.

- Inside the vessel 1 and surrounding a portlon of the driving shaft 14is a vertical feedpipe 25.. This pipe at its upper extremlty" 1s made offunnel shape, and into t the pulp or mixture of solids and liquid isdelivered by launder or pipe 26. The feed pipe 25 is, as shown in Figs.1 and 2, preferably constructed of a number of telescopic sections, thelower end of each section belng enlarged, as indicated at 27 in Fig. 2,to receive the upper end of the next succeed- 1ng lower section.Open-ended slots 28 are formed in the upper and lower ends of theseveral telescopic sections of the feed pipe 25, through which slots thescraper arms 13, attached to the hub members 15, project.

To the shaft 14, at the bottom of the feed 'To the vertical shaft 14,below the settling plates, is fixed a plurality of helically dis? posedradial blades or arms 30, which operate to deliver the solids, whichsettle at the bottom of the vessel, through the outlets 31 the uprisinprovided in the bottom thereof.

In the operation of this apparatus, the pulp is delivered by launder orpipe 26, into the funnel shaped u per end of feed pipe 25. It then fallsto t e bottom of the latter andis deflected by cone-29 toward the sidesof the vessel. The heavier particles of the solid constituent of the.pulp immediately fall to the bottom of the vessel 1. The lighterparticles, which are carried u through the slots 7 by the uprising liquion its way to the overflowing launder 2 settle and accumulate upon thesettling sur faces 4, and are scraped off said surfaces and deliveredover the slots or passages 7 by the rotating arms 13. As the slots orpassages 7 in each tier of settlingtplates 4 coincide, as previouslyexplained, unob structed passages are thereby provided, down which thesolids once they have been collected fall with little diffusion throughcurrent to the bottom .of'the vessel 1. T e solids which fall to, andaccumulate at, the bottom of the vessel, are forced through the outlets31 in the form of a very thick pulp by the spirally disposed arms orblades 30.

In Figs. 5 and 6, I illustrate the invention adapted to a larger tank orvessel. In this case, the settling plates 4 are provided with anincreased number of suitably positioned elongated holes or slots 32. Theslots 32 in the several tiers of plates 4 coincide, as has previouslybeen explained in connection with Figs. 1 to 4, and they are alsopreferably increased in width in each succeeding tier from the topto'the bottom of the vessel, as before described. A number of verticalshafts or spindles 33one of which is shown in Fig. 5-is provided,suitably arranged and supported in relation to the slots 32, and passingthrough all the plates. Upon spindles 33 are fixed scraper arms 34,which operate to scrape the solids off plates 4, and to deliver the sameover the slots 32. Thespindles 33 are shown arranged in the form ofconcentric circles, and so disposed relative to each other thatthe pathsof adjacent scrapers overlap. The settling plates 4 are carrie by radialbeams 35, which latter may be upported at their extremities, and bymeans of suitable standards or supports 36 at any intermediate point orpoints.

The inner ends of'the beams 35 are shown carried by'flanges-orprojections 37 on a central vertical feed pipe 38, and the outer ends bysupports 36. The tank is shown of cylindrical shape in its upper portionand of inverted conical shape in its lower ortion. 39 is the rimlaunder, for receiving the overflowing clear liquid, and 40 the launderdelivering the pulp or feed mixture to feed pipe 38. 41 in Fig. 5represents a bearing for the upper end of scraper shaft 33, and 42 asprocket wheel for imparting rotary motion to said shaft. S afts 33 maybe supported in any convenien manner in the bottom of or beneath thetank.

The several scraper shafts 33 may be driven by means" of an interlacedor other suitable chain, passing around suitably disposed guide pulleys,and around the sprocket wheels 42, fixed to the upper ends of theseveralshafts 33, or by means of shafts and bevel gears, or worms andworm wheels. Instead of providing one scraper on each shaft 33 for eachsettling plate 4 two or more may be fixed thereto, to work inconjunction with each or any slot 32. The scrapers 34 on each shaft 33are preferably arranged in' the same vertical plane (or planes, if morethan one scraper is provided on the same shaft for each or any slot) asshown in Fig. 5 so as to simultaneously deliver the solids over thecoincident slots 32 in all the plates. When the plates or settlingsurfaces 4 are inclined, then the scrapers and their driving gear willbe correspondingly arranged.

What I claim as my invention and desire to protect by Letters Patentis 1. In means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solidmatter'from liquid, the combination with a vessel of a plurality ofsuper-positioned settling plates or surfaces provided with coincidentholes or passages for the settled solids from the top to the bottom ofthe vessel, and means for removing the settled solids off said settlingplates or surfaces and delivering the same over said coincident holes orpassages, as set forth.

\ 2. In means for separatin pulverized ore or other comniinuted solimatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of a plurality ofsuper-positioned settling plates or surfaces having coincident holes orpassages which form unobstructed passages for the settled solids fromthe top to the bottom of the vessel, and means for removing the settledsolids off said settling plates or surfaces and simultaneouslydelivering the same over said coincident holes or passages,

hole or passage for the settled solids and in which said hole or passagegradually increasesin Width from its inner to its outer end, and meansfor removing the settled solids off said plate or surface and deliveringthe same over said hole or passage, as set forth.

4. In means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solidmatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of a plurality ofsettling plates or surfaces provided with holes or passages for thesettled solids and in which said holes or passages g a dually increasein width from their inner to their outer ends or from the center to thesides of the vessel, and means for removing the settled solids off saidplates or surfaces and delivering the same over said holes or passages,as set forth.

5. In means for separating pulverized'ore or other comminuted solidmatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of a plurality ofsuper-positioned settling plates or surfaces having coincident holes orpassages for the settled solids from the top to "the bottom of thevessel, saidholes or pas sages gradually increasing in width from theirinner to their outer ends, and means for removing the settled solids offsaid settling plates or surfaces and for simultaneous y delivering thesame over said coincident holes'or passages, as set forth.

6. In means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solidmatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of a plurality ofsuper-positioned settling plates or surfaces having coincident holes orpassages for the settled solids from the top to the bottom of thevessel, and in which the coincident holes or passages in the severaltiers of settling plates are increased in width in each succeeding platefrom the top to the bottom of the vessel, and means for removing thesettled solids off said settling plates or surfaces and for deliveringthe same over said coincident holes or passages, as set forth.

7 In means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted .solidmatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of a.

plurality of super-positioned settling plates or surfaces havingcoincident holes or passages for the settled solids from the top to thebottom of the vessel, and in which the coincident holes or passages inthe several tiers of settling plates are increased in width in eachsucceeding plate from the top to the bottom of the vessel, said holes orpassages also gradually increasing in width from their inner to theirouter ends, and means for removing the settled solids off said settlingplates or surfaces andfor simultaneously delivering the same over saidcoincident holes or passages, as set forth.

8. In means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solidmatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of a settling plate orsurface having a hole or passage for the settled solids, and means forremoving the settled solids off said plate or surface and delivering thesame over said hole or passage, said means comprising a shaft and an armfixed to said shaft, said arm moving in close proximity to the top ofthe said plate or surface, as set forth.

9. In means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solidmatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of a plurality ofsettling plates or surfaces having holes or passages for the settledsolids, and means for removing the settled solids 01f saiu plates orsurfaces and delivering the same over said holes or passages. said meanscomprising a shaft and an arm fixed to said shaft for each plate orsurface, said arms moving in close proximity to the tops of theirsettling plates or surfaces, as set forth.

10. In means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solidmatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of a plurality ofsuper-positioned settling plates or surfaces having coincident holes orpassages for the settled solids from the top, to the bottom of thevessel, and in which the coincident holes or passages in the severaltiers of settling plates are increased in width in each succeeding platefrom the top to the bottom of the vessel, said holes or passages alsogradually increasing in width from their inner to their outer ends, andmeans for removing the settled solids off said settling plates orsurfaces and for simultaneously delivering the same over said coincidentholes or passages, said means comprising a shaft and an arm fixed tosaid shaft for each plate or surface, said arms moving in closeproximity to the tops of their settling plates or surfaces, as setforth.

-11. In means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted s idmatter from liquid, the combination wlth a vessel of settling plates orsurfaces and carrier frames for said settling plates or surfaces, saidcarrier frames comprising side members-providing between them holes orpassages for the settled solids and constructed to be connected togetherat the center to mutually support each other at their inner ends and tobe attached to the settling vessel at their outer extremities, and meansfor removing the settled solids off said plates or surfaces anddelivering the same over said holes or passages, as set forth. I

12. In means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solidmatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of settling plates orsurfaces and carrier frames for said settling. plates or surfaees,saidcarrier frames comprising side members providing between them holes orpassages for the settled solids and constructed to be connected togetherat the center to mutually support each other at their inner ends and tobe attached to the settling vessel at their outer extremities, and meansfor removing the settled solids ofi' saidplates or surfaces anddelivering the same over said holes or "passages, said means com risinga shaft and an arm fixed to said sha t for each plate or surface, saidarms movin in close proximity to the tops of their settIing plates orsurfaces, as set forth.

13. In meansfor separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solidmatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of settling lates orsurfaces and carrier frames for sald settling plates or surfaces, saidcarrier frames comprisin side members providing between them ho es orpassages for the settled solids and constructed to be connected togetherat the center to mutually support each other at their inner ends and tobe attached to the settling vessel at their outer extremities, the sidemembers of said carrier frames being made to diverge from their inner totheir outer ends to gradually increase the width of the holes orpassages formed between them from the center-to the sides of the vessel,and means for removing the settled solids off said platesor surfaces anddelivering the same over said holes or,

passages, as set forth.

14. In means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solidmatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of settling plates orsurfaces and carrier frames for said settling plates or surfaces, saidcarrier frames comprising side members providingbetween them holes orpassages for the settled solids and constructed to be connected togetherat the center to mutually support each other at their inner ends and tobe attached to the settling vessel at their outer extremities, and crossmembers arranged between the side members of adjacent carrier frames forsupportin the settling plates or surfaces between said frames,

and means foLremgving the settled solids off said plates or surfaces anddelivering the same over said holes or passages, as set forth.

15. In means for separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solidmatter from the arms moving in close proximity to the lates or tops oftheir respective set-tling around surfaces, and a feed ipe arrange theaforesaid shaft said feed pipe being constructed in a lurality oftelescopic sections, said sections providing holes through which thescraper arms roject, as set forth.

16. 11 means for-separating pulverized ore or other comminuted solidmatter from liquid, the combination with a vessel of a plurality ofsuper-positioned settling plates or surfaces having coincident holes orpassages for the settled solids from the top to the bottom of thevessel, means for removing the settled solids off said settling platesor surfaces and for delivering the same over said coincident holes orpassages, said means com rising a shaft and an arm fixed to said sha foreach plate or surface, the arms moving in close proximity to the tops oftheir respective settling p ates or surfaces, and the several arms beingarranged in the same vertical plane so that they simultaneously deliverthe solids over the coincident holes or passages, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALEXANDER JOHN ARBUCKLE,

\Vitnesses:

CHAS. OVENDALE,,

W. S. Avns.

or the scraper arms,

